Collapsible outboard motorboat



April 1-8, 1950 Filed July 18, 1946 G- M. DITTRICH 2,504,256

COLLAPSIBLE OUTBOARD MOTORBOAT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor April 18, 1950 Filed July 18 1946 G. M. DlTTRlCH 2,504,256

COLLAPSIBLE OUTBOARD MOTORBOAT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor Patented Apr. 18,1950

UNITED FA EINT oFFicE 2,504,256 GOLLAPSIBLE OUTBOARD MOTORBOAT "George M. Dittrich, Trenton,"N. J. Application-July is, 1946, SerialN0.-684,507

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a collapsible outboard motor boat, and the object thereof is to provide a light, safe, and serviceable collapsible boat capable of being carried in a car trunk orother convenient place for transportation, so as to be ready for use when vtransported to a body of water.

Another object of the invention is to provide a collapsible outboard motor boat which is constructed so as to permit fit to be collapsed in compact form when not in use so as to be readily stored in the trunk rack orstorage space of an automobile, and capable of being readily set up or extended for use conveniently and quickly.

Another object of .the invention is to provide a collapsible boat of the character described, including a bottom whichfis builtup of plywood or corrugated metal and combined with flexible water-proof fabric 'to form the hull of the boat, said hull being provided with a deck at the prow r bow of the boat, .collaps'ibl'erprops, forholding the boat hull in an extended position for use, a seat adapted 'to be readily collapsed .-for permitting folding of the boat hull whenrnotin use, and means for mounting an outboard motor at the stern of the boat hull when the latter is set up for use in the water. 7

Another object of the invention is to provide a collapsible outboard motor boat having a mill which is made up of two sections hinged together transversely of the hull in the center of length of the boat, and which includes a collapsible seat and collapsible props, serving to lholdrthe bull in an extended condition and a hinged support for an outboard motor at the stern of the hull.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed,reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in Which-- Figure 1 is a top plan view of a collapsible outboard motor boat constructed in accordance with the invention, 1

Figure 2 is a central longitudinal sectional view thereof,

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 3--3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the boat partly collapsed,

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the boat collapsed and in the act of folding the same into compact form for transportation and storage in the trunk rack of anautomobile,

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view 2 of a hinge connection between the two sections of the boat centrally of the length of the hull, and

Figure '7 i s an enlarged fragmentary detail sectional view of a check valve provided in air chambers at the bovv and stern of the boat.

Referring to the drawings indetail, in which like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views, I ll designates the hull comprising a bottom l l built of substantial stiifm'at'e'rial in two sections or panels 12 and I3 at the bow and stern, of plywood, corrugated metal, or the'like, connected transversely midway between the bow and stern by means of a water-proof hinge I l so as to fold toward each other when it is desired :to collapse the boat into a small space for-shipment, or storage, or to fit in the trunk compartment of an automobile, or

the like. Thesides of the boat hull are of a flexible water-proof material or fabric securely fastened to the edges of the bottom ii, that is, around the edges of the sections l2 and [3 thereof, and to an upper frame or gunwale indicated at It, comprising sections l1 and f8, forming a stiff upperframe, the sides of whichare hinged together, as indicated 'at- I 9, substantially parallel to and above "the hinge I4, "to fold therewith,

when the collapsible erasable sides l5 are collapsed with the frame lli 'm'ove'd toward the bottom II. It may also be mentioned that the frame 16 is ofthe same shape 'or contour as the bottom but slightly larger in outside dimensions, so that the sides l5 slope inwardly to a slight degree toward the bottom at the surrounding edges of the latter, It may also be mentioned that the 111111 is provided with a bottom namezo lower frame extends upwardly. It should also be notedthat the upper frame is positioned within the sides 'I 5-, ;whi;le the lower frame 20 is posi tioned outwardly thereof, andforms a bottom bumper frame, -which-:acts as an all around bumper guard, to protect the hull sides from puncturing or in-jury-,-:-when striking objects in the water orin docking the boat at a pier or other anchorage.

By way of example, it may be specified that the upper frame can be collapsed closely adjacent to the level of the bottom and bottom frame, and both can be folded to a size of about 3 x 4 x 3" so as to be very compact when folded. Besides the connection between the upper frame, rim, or gunwale and the bottom frame, as well as the bottom, by means of the flexible fabric forming collapsible sides for the hull, said top and bottom frames are also connected by a plurality of collapsible props adjacent the bow and stem, as generally designated at 2| and 22, by means of a collapsible seat 23, and by means of a hinged motor post 24 at the center of the stern. Deck portions 25 and 25 are provided at the bow and stem respectively, conforming to the shape of the boat and hull and upon which occupants may be seated, especially when at anchor. The deck portion 25 is preferably concave at the back, as indicated at 21, while the deck portion 26 is preferably of uniform width or depth, with the ends thereof conforming to the sloping, tapered or rearwardly converging sides of the boat. Both deck portions 25 and 26 are anchored to the upper frame or gunwale I of the boat. The flexible water-proof fabric forming the sides I5 is also air-tight, and at the front and rear of the braces 21 and '22, flexible walls 28 and 29 extend between the top frame and the bottom, sloping in opposite directions downwardly toward the bow and stern respectively, to form collapsible air pockets or chambers 30 and 3| at the bow and stern respectively. These walls are anchored to the sides in air-tight connection and, as stated, are of water-proof fabric like the sides I5, so as to extend across the boat between the sides in connection with upper frame cross-bars 32 and 33 between the sides of the upper and lower frames I6 and II. The joints are also water-proof all around, and check valves 34 of like construction, are provided in the deck portions 25 and 26, as shown. As illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 7 of the drawings, the check valves 34 are produced by cutting downwardly enlarged or upwardly reduced and tapered disks and holes 35 in the deck portions 25 and 26, the tapered disks being removed and mounted snugly in the openings, as indicated at 36, so as to fit flush with the top and bottom surfaces of the walls of said deck portions and fastened at 31 to elastic strips 38 at the underside of the deck portions, which have their extremities fastened to the underside of the deck portions, as indicated at 39, at opposite sides of the openings 35, so that the disks forming the valves proper will seat upwardly and close the openings and seal the air pockets or chambers 30 and 3|, when the boat is set up or extended, and unseat inwardly when it is desired to collapse the boat for permitting the air to escape from said pockets.

The water-proof hinge I4, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 6, is provided transversely across the beam of the bottom of the hull II between sections I2 and I3 thereof, having angular leaves secured beneath the edges of the bottom sections I2 and I3, as indicated at M, and extending upwardly between said sections at the raised hinge joint or pin pivotally connecting the same, as indicated at 42, in an elevated position with respect to the boat bottom and covered over with a strip of water-proof, flexible fabric, or the like, 43 so as to seal the joint of the metal hinge extending within the bottom and connecting both panels or sections thereof. The ends or longitudinal edges of the fabric strip 43 are extended between the bottom sections I2 and [3, or outwardly in opposite directions between the outturned leaves or flanges 40 of the hinge I4 and anchored between the same and the bottom faces of said sections I2 and I3 by the fastening means 4i, supplemented by suitable sealing means of water-proof cement, tuck pointing material, putty, heavy paint, or otherwise, to insure a water-proof joint and providing a stiff, strong, long wearing surface in conjunction with the bottom II.

The substantially A-shaped props 2i and 22 consist of pairs of foldable braces 44 and 45 each formed of two sections connected by pivots 46 to fold inwardly toward the transverse center of the hull and pivotally connected at their upper ends, as indicated at 41, where the braces, by reason of their upwardly divergent relation, come together, while their lower ends are divergent and spaced apart for pivotal connection to the bottom of the boat, as indicated at 48. The pivots 46 of the braces 44 are located at a lower point than the pivots of the braces 45 and are connected at these points by means of inclined links 49, which may consist of heavy wire or rods of rigid material bent to act as hinge pins as well as erecting members and locking members. The lower sections of the braces 44 are extended beyond the pivots 46 thereof, as indicated at 50, to render the braces rigid when extended, but permit folding thereof in a collapsed position against the bottom of the boat when the top thereof is collapsed toward the bottom. Both of the props 2I and 22 are of like construction but disposed in reverse positions to fold inwardly toward each other, and when extended, to lock the top frame of the boat and the sides, rigid in erect positions. Thus, a hull as formed of proper depth may be compactly collapsed or folded, the folding being accomplished in the manner shown in Figure 5 of the drawing, by swinging one section over on the other after the sides are collapsed. It should also be noted that by reason of the upper frame being of the same shape in plan as the bottom of the boat, but slightly larger, that it may readily collapse over the surrounding edge of the bottom or panels by which the same is formed in two sections. In this manner, the hinges are kept in the same plane with the bottom, while the upper frame supports the deck and cross-bars, and the props hold the fabric sides in tension.

The transverse seat includes a seat board which is indicated at 5|, and extends across the hull midway of the height of the sides, that is, at one-half of the depth of the boat determined by the height of the sides and the distance between the upper frame and bottom as well as the lower frame. The seat board 5I is supported pivotally on foldable braces 52 each comprising a pair of sections or links similar to the braces 44 and 45 and pivotally connected, as indicated at 53. The braces 52 are positioned vertically at the transverse center of the hull and constitute center braces with hinge pins at the ends connecting the same to the top and bottom, as indicated at 54 and 55, respectively, slightly in rear of the hinge I4. By mounting the vertical braces 52 in rear of the rear edge of the single throw hinge I4, the seat board and said braces can fold flat in the bottom of the boat, in conjunction with support links 56 connecting the rear edge of the seat board 5| to the bottom H and pivotally connected tosaid parts, as indicated at 5'? and 58. The lower section or link of each brace 52 extends above the seat board, as indicated at 59, to render the braces 52 rigid when extended or straight and to break downwardly and rearwardly, as shown in Figures 2 and 4 of the drawings respectively. Thus, the braces 52 are supported on the rear panel or section it and also form a major support for the upper frame 16 so that the seat will fold backwards and when extended upwardly will tend to brace the sides 15 of the hull through the medium of the pivot connection 53 extending under the seat board, or through the same as shown. The braces it, 45 and 52 may be of any suitable well known or preferred type, such as that shown at 53, i i in the U. S. patent to D. M. Beaird, No. 1,267,046, dated May 21, 1918.

The hinged motor post or support 24 is hinged to the bottom frame, as indicated at Bil, and forms a bracket upon which an outboard motor may be supported. It is located centrally of the stern end of the board, as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, and one hinge leaf of the hinge 69 is offset at right angles, as indicated at 6!, slightly rearwardly of the stern end of the sides i5 and frame 2%, and said support 24 fastens to the upper frame id as by means of a detachable screw joint or clamp 62 so as to extend above the rear deck 28, or to permit it to be disconnected and swung rearwardly slightly and then inwardly over the deck 26 when the boat is collapsed, as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings. In this manner, the hinged motor post, by being fastened to the upper frame It, holds the latter extended or erected in conjunction with the props 2i and 22 and the hinged supports for the seat board 5! shown at 52 and 5%. In this way, the fabric sides 15 are held in mechanical tension by the bottom, bottom frame and upper frame, and the folding lock props as described. The bottom frame being of angle iron, as well as the upper frame, also forms a bumper entirely around the hull of the boat and constructed of two hinged sections as described fastened to the boat bottom edge with the fabric between in a waterproof joint, so as to stiffen the bottom and act as an all around bumper guard. Also, it is to be understood that the walls 25 and 29 forming the air pockets at the bow and stern, being in the form of fabric strips, may be cemented to the sides and extend from one side to the other and from the upper frame cross-bar to the bottom. The check valves are placed in the deck as described, and must be manually depressed, to erect or collapse the boat, by permitting the air to enter the pockets, and the Valves permit the air to escape therefrom in order to collapse the boat and sides, for folding the same in half, to occupy a minimum of space for transportation within a trunk rack, or other convenient place, or in storage and shipping. The sides of the boat are further braced by the rods extending crosswise between the sides of the upper frame It to which the fabric sides I5 are secured, by extending entirely across the hull at the rim or gunwale produced by the upper frame It. Thus, the boat is extended or erected by first unfolding the sections and panels thereof to its full length and then depressing the check valves 34 while erecting, in which instance the lock braces permit the device to be held in a raised or extended position when erected while the air pockets fill with air upon the valves being opened by depressing the same. The motor post or bracket is erected last and secured in position, so as to permit mounting of the outboard motor on the upper end thereof in the usual fashion common in connection with the use of outboard motors. The boat is collapsed and folded by reversing this procedure.

While in the foregoing there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of this invention, it is to be understood that minor changes in the details of construction and combination and arrangement of parts may be re sorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim is:

1. A collapsible outboard motor boat, comprising a hull having a rigid bottom comprising sections hinged transversely, a top frame also comprising sections hinged transversely, a fabric side covering attached to said bottom and top frame, a seat board extending between the sides, collapsibie props near the front and rear of the hull and extensible to hold the top frame and bottom apart when the boat is extended and foldable therewith when the sides are collapsed, foldable braces and hinged links pivotally mounting the seat board between the bottom and top frames midway between the top frame and bottom, and a motor post hinged at the rear of the boat hull and having means to connect the same detachably to the top frame at the center of the stern.

2. A collapsible outboard motor boat, comprising a hull having a rigid bottom comprising sections hinged transversely, a top frame also comprising sections hinged transversely, a fabric side covering attached to said bottom and top frame, a seat board extending between the sides, collapsible props near the front and rear of the hull and extensible to hold the top frame and bottom apart when the boat is extended and foldable therewith when the sides are collapsed, foldable braces and hinged links pivotally mounting the seat board between the bottom and top frames midway between the top frame and bottom, deck portions carried by the top frame at the bow and stern of the hull, transverse flexible walls in front and in rear of the props to form air pockets at the stern and bow, inwardly opening check valves therefor in the deck portions, and a motor post hinged at the rear of the bottom and having means to connect the same detachably to the top frame at the center of the stern.

3. The construction defined in claim 1, wherein each of said props comprises a pair of downwardly diverging foldable braces pivoted together at the top and each composed of a pair of pivotally connected sections, and a link connecting said braces at the pivotal connections between the sections thereof.

GEORGE M. DITTRICH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 189,913 Bates Apr. 24, 1877 1,462,422 Rinesi July 17, 1923 2,150,420 Cooper Mar. 14, 1939 

